Oushak

Oushak rugs originated in the small town of Oushak in west-central Anatolia, today just south of Istanbul, Turkey. Unlike most Turkish rugs, Oushak carpets had been greatly influenced by Persian designs.

Almost from the beginning of the Ottoman empire, Oushak has been a major production center of Turkish rugs. After the design revolution in the late 15th Century, area rugs began to be produced in Oushak for commercial purposes due to the easy access of superb wool and natural dyes. Antique Oushak carpets tend to be coarsely woven on a wool foundation with a wool pile, and are distinctive in both pattern and color palette. The designs of Oushak rugs and carpets are typically based on geometric motives with central medallion drawings, smaller all-over medallions or scattered sprays of vine scroll and palmettes. They are also famed for the grand, monumental scale of designs. Today, Oushak rugs are highly desirable and decorative for elegant room settings.(Other spelling: Ushak)